Wireless Headset Apparatus and Mehtods

ABSTRACT

A wireless headphone device has a first elongate portion having first and second opposite ends with an attachment interface at the first end, the first portion comprising an on-board power supply and a transceiver with functional circuitry, and a second elongate portion coupled pivotally to the first portion at the second end, and having an ear bud and a microphone at an end away from the pivotal coupling. The functional circuitry enables receiving and playing of audio from an MP3 player through the ear bud, and use as speaker and microphone for a wirelessly coupled telephone.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

The present application is a continuation of co-pending application Ser.No. 12/193,402, filed Aug. 18, 2008, which is a continuation-in-part ofSer. No. 11/927,079, filed Oct. 29, 2007, which is a continuation ofco-pending application Ser. No. 11/473,638, filed Jun. 22, 2006, whichis a continuation of Ser. No. 11/009,329, filed on Dec. 9, 2004 andissued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,070,425, which is a continuation-in-part ofpatent application Ser. No. 10/903,412, filed on Jul. 29, 2004 andissued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,979,210, which claims priority to provisionalapplication No. 60/528,645 filed Dec. 10, 2003. The disclosures of theprior applications are incorporated in their entirety by reference, andpriority is claimed for the disclosures as of their filing dates.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is in the field of headsets and charging devices,and pertains more particularly to headsets enabled for wirelesstransmission and reception.

2. Discussion of the State of the Art

In the computer arts there continues to be motivation for increaseddensity and ease-of-use in mass storage devices. A solid state deviceknown now in the art as a thumb drive was relatively recently introducedadvancing the standard for both density and ease-of-use, and suchhot-plug drives are made by several manufacturers. A common feature ofthumb drives as known in the art is a male USB connector, andfunctionality to hot-plug and remove, that is, without turning off thecomputer to which the drive is connected and disconnected. Anothercommon feature is a plastic protective cover for the male USB connector.

Although the advance in the mass storage art with the advent of thumbdrives is dramatic, there are still some problems with such a system.For example, the plastic covers for use on the male USB connectors arenot very secure, and tend to come loose and be lost. As a remedy, manymanufacturers provide two and sometimes three plastic covers with eachdevice sold, often with different colors. Still another problem is thatUSB ports on computers are not universally easily visible andaccessible. Some such ports are on the back of tower cases which areoften placed under desks or other furniture, so finding an unused USBfemale port for connecting the male USB connector of a thumb drive isoften not trivial. When a female port is out of sight or in a darkenedarea, the connection must often be made by feel alone. Still further,when the thumb drive is connected to a computer, the plastic protectivecover is removed, and is easily misplaced.

Another problem in the art related to thumb drives that are enabled forwireless communication is that there is a relative dearth of headsets,and flexibility and functionality of headsets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment of the invention a wireless headphone device isprovided comprising a first elongate portion having first and secondopposite ends with an attachment interface at the first end, the firstportion comprising an on-board power supply and a transceiver withfunctional circuitry, and a second elongate portion coupled pivotally tothe first portion at the second end, and having an ear bud and amicrophone at an end away from the pivotal coupling. The functionalcircuitry enables receiving and playing of audio from an MP3 playerthrough the ear bud, and use as speaker and microphone for a wirelesslycoupled telephone.

Also in one embodiment the attachment interface comprises a flexiblerubber, synthetic rubber or plastic loop for engaging an arm of aheadset frame. In another embodiment the attachment interface comprisesa strap for folding over an arm of a headset frame, and fastening backto the first elongate portion. In yet another embodiment the attachmentinterface comprises a hinged mechanism with a fold-over element forengaging an arm of a headset frame.

In one embodiment the device is configurable as either a left-side or aright-side device, wherein for a left side device the speaker is enabledand the microphone muted with the second elongate portion positionedrotationally to one side of the first elongate portion, and for aright-side device the speaker is enabled and the microphone muted withthe second elongate portion positioned rotationally to the opposite sideof the first elongate portion. In some embodiments rotating the secondelongate portion to a position to extend away from a user's ear causesthe circuitry in the first elongate portion to send a signal to answeran incoming telephone call on a telephone device coupled by aBluetooth™-compatible wireless protocol.

In some embodiments there is a pushbutton on a surface of the firstelongate portion enabled for sending a signal when pressed to answer anincoming telephone call on a telephone device coupled by aBluetooth™-compatible wireless protocol. Also in some embodiments thefirst elongate portion comprises on one surface an interface forcharging the on-board power supply. In some cases the interface forcharging is a female connector for engaging a male connector of acharging cable from either a USB port or from a transformer engaged in awall outlet. In some other embodiments the interface for charging is apair of electrodes implemented on a surface of the first elongateportion for engaging similar electrodes connector for engaging a maleconnector of a charging cable from either a USB port or from atransformer engaged in a wall outlet.

In one embodiment the attachment interface comprises an ear hangar loopfor engaging over a user's ear to position the device to place the earbud in the user's ear.

Also in one embodiment a light-emitting device implemented on a surfaceof the device configured to change color according to charge level ofthe on-board power supply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of a thumb drive according to anembodiment of the present invention, with the connector retracted.

FIG. 1 b is a perspective view of the thumb drive of FIG. 1 a with theconnector partly extended.

FIG. 1 c is a perspective view of the thumb drive of FIG. 1 a with theconnector fully extended.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a thumb drive according to analternative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 a is an exploded view of the thumb drive of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 b, c, and d show details for detenting in an embodiment of theinvention.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are a diagrams showing one way a protective cover maybe implemented.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a thumb drive according to yet anotherembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a thumb drive associated with aBluetooth™ headset in yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 a is a side elevation view of a single speaker/microphone devicein an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 b is a front elevation view of the device of FIG. 7 a.

FIG. 7 c is a back elevation view of the device of FIG. 7 a.

FIG. 8 a is a side elevation view of two devices 701 attached to aheadset frame 801 in an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 b is a top plan view of the same assembly as FIG. 8 a.

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of a headset frame with a device attachedadjusted to have the microphone forward toward a user's mouth.

FIG. 10 a is a front elevation view of a charging bay for devices.

FIG. 10 b is a side elevation view of the charging bay of FIG. 10 a.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a headset frame in another embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of a device comprising an ear hangarstrap for use without a headset frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment of the invention a thumb drive has a manuallyextendable and retractable male USB connector. FIG. 1 a is a perspectiveview of such a drive 101 according to an embodiment of the invention.

Drive 101 has in this example a physical opening 102 generallyrectangular in shape, matching the rectangular cross section of a maleUSB connector. Port 102 is closed, when the connector is withdrawnwithin a body of the thumb drive, by a retractable physical closure,such as a flap gate 103, which may be hinge mounted in one embodiment toallow passage of a male USB connector.

It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that there are a variety ofways a closure may be implemented for opening 102. Such a closure may bemade of a number of different materials, such as rubber or plasticmaterials, and may be implemented in a number of different ways. Forexample, the gate could be a solid metal or rigid plastic material, anda mechanism for opening and closing may be provided also in a number ofdifferent ways.

Further to the above description, a sliding button 104 is implementedthrough an opening in a wall of a case for the drive. This button in oneembodiment has two functions. Firstly the button is implemented in amanner to turn on a flashlight element 105 when the button is depressed.Secondly, the button is detented in a way that when depressed it may bepushed forward, causing an internal mechanism to translate forward,urging a male USB connector to extend through port 102, and to lock inplace as extended. The locking in place in one embodiment is a functionof the detenting of the button mechanism.

It will also be apparent to the skilled artisan that such a manualoperator for translation of a mechanism to extend the male connectorthrough opening 102 may be implemented in several ways as well, such asby a knob or a slide. In one embodiment, for example, the retractableconnector is spring-loaded into the case of the thumb drive with adetent for keeping it retracted until a user trips the detent. A similardetent keeps the connector in an extended position until the user pushesthe connector back into the case.

Light 105 in one embodiment is offset to one side of the thumb drive asshown, and is provided for aiding in finding a USB port on a candidatecomputer. The light may also be used as a utility flashlight for anumber of other purposes. The skilled artisan will understand that thereare a variety of ways control for the light may be provided in additionto the slide button 104, such as by a separate switch implementedthrough the body of the thumb drive.

FIG. 1 b is a perspective view of the thumb drive of FIG. 1 with a USBmale connector extended part way through port 102. It may be seen thatthe relative position of slide button 104 corresponds to the relativeextension of the USB port 106.

FIG. 1 c is a perspective view of the thumb drive of FIGS. 1 a and 1 bwith male connector 106 fully extended and locked into place. In someembodiments of the invention a connection ring 107 may be provided tofacilitate attachment to a neck cord or key ring.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a thumb drive 208 in yet anotherembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment a body shape isimplemented that provides a more comfortable and secure grip when usingthe drive. Many of the elements for the embodiment shown by FIG. 2 arethe same as for the embodiment shown by FIGS. 1 a-1 c. There is a moldedbody that, in this case, is made in two separate parts 213 and 214,joining along a line 215. A raised portion 209 of the upper section 213provides a housing for a light 216, which may be one or a cluster ofhigh-intensity LEDs or an incandescent bulb, for example. Aspring-loaded button 211 is implemented through an opening 210 insection 213 for on-off input for the light 216 and slide operation for amale USB connector that may be caused to extend through door 212 byurging button 211 forward. Detents implemented in opening 210 providefor restraining the USB connector in extended or retracted position, asfurther described below.

FIG. 3 a is a partially exploded perspective view of thumb drive 208 ofFIG. 2, showing some further detail of inner components. Section 213 isshown disconnected from section 214 and raised to show additional innerdetail. Within the thumb drive a module 301 comprises flash memory, inquantity of perhaps 256 Mbytes, or more. Module 301 also comprisesbutton 211 implemented in a structure 302 that allows the button to bedepressed and to make electrical contact to energize light 216 through aconnection path 303 from an on-board battery source 304. The battery canbe any one of many sorts, such as a rechargeable battery.

The internal flash memory of module 301 is coupled to I/O contacts of aUSB male connector 305 which is built into module 301. Internalconnections, microprocessor, and firmware applying the microprocessor tofunctions of the apparatus are not shown, but will be apparent to thosewith skill in the art, as these mostly exist in the commercial arena atthe time of filing the present application.

Module 301 in this an some other embodiments is implemented within theshell of portions 213 and 214 restrained between molded-in tracks, suchthat the module may be translated from a position wherein USB maleconnector 305 is fully withdrawn, to a position wherein the USBconnector is fully extended, and back again. Detents molded into upperportion 213 in conjunction with opening 210 provide for retention at thefully withdrawn and near the fully extended positions, in concert withdepressing button 211. To extend or withdraw one may depress button 211and release it at the end of the movement. When USB connector 305extends, door 212 is urged aside in a manner that when the USB connectoris again withdrawn, the door closes again.

FIG. 3 b shows one edge 306 of opening 210 of portion 213 in elevation.This edge of the opening is formed into lands at two elevations, thesebeing lands 308 and 310 at a lower level and lands 309 and 311 at ahigher level.

FIG. 3 c shows button 211 and structure 302 implemented on module 301.As previously described, structure 302 allows button 211 to be depressedto make electrical contact to illuminate light 216. Button 211 furtherhas a land 312, also seen in FIG. 3 a in perspective that engages one oflands 308-311 in assembly, depending on the relative extension ofconnector 305.

FIG. 3 d shows edge 306 with lands 308-311 with button 211 superimposedat four different positions (a) through (d) representing four differentextensions of connector 305. With button 211 in position (a) the maleUSB connector is fully retracted within the body of the thumb drive.Because button 211 is spring-loaded upward, this provides a detent thatholds the connector retracted until a specific action by the user.

To move the connector forward, that is, to extend the connector, a userdepresses button 211 such that land 312 of the button is below land 310of edge 306. This depressing of button 211 makes electrical contactturning on light 216. Now module 301 may be moved forward by urgingbutton 211 forward to extend USB connector 305. Land 310 ensures thatthe light stays on if the button is released.

Land 308 allows the user to move connector 305 to a maximum forwardposition, passing land 309, at which point the light will stay lit. Thisallows for the user to release the button while looking for a female USBport for connection, and keeps the light on.

When the female USB port is found and male connector 305 is inserted,the action of insertion will retract the male connector in the thumbdrive until the spring-loaded button clicks up to land 309, providing adetent near the fully extended poison with the light off and the thumbdrive connected to the appliance having the female USB port.

The skilled artisan will be aware that the detent mechanisms describedabove with reference to FIGS. 3 b-3 d are exemplary of one suchmechanism that might be used, and that are there are a variety of otherways the detents may be provided.

One simple rendition of a door 112 or 212 is shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b.In this example a rubber-like panel 112 is affixed behind an openingbetween upper and lower portions 113 and 114. As connector 305 isextended from the poison shown in FIG. 4 a the rubber-like panel issimply urged aside, until with full extension, panel 112 is positionedas shown in FIG. 4 b. When connector 305 is again withdrawn panel 112springs back to an upright position as shown in FIG. 4 a, closing theopening to dust and debris, for example.

It will be apparent to those with skill in the art that the door for theopening through which the male USB connector protrudes, such as panel112 in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b, is not in and of itself the patentable featureof the invention, but a convenience to protect the internal details ofthe novel thumb drive when the connector is withdrawn. Simple examplesof such a door have been provided, but there are a further variety ofways such a protective door might be implemented. There might be, forexample, a rigid door hinged in some manner, and the door may or may notbe closed by a spring detent. There are many other possibilities aswell.

In embodiments of the invention described above there is no need for aprotective plastic cap for the male USB connector as is common in theart at the time of filing the present application, and the lightintegrated into the thumb drive in some embodiments provides real aid toa user in finding and connecting to unused USB ports. The light hasother uses as a simple utility flashlight as well.

In another embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in FIG. 5,further enhancement is provided such that a thumb drive 501 may alsooperate as a music repository and player, such as an MP3player. In thisembodiment the memory capacity of the thumb drive is controlled in thesame manner that is done in the art for MP3 players and the like, sothat music and other audio material may be downloaded to the uniquethumb drive from a computer device, and may be played back to a user.For this purpose a display 502 is provided, which may be an LED(light-emitting diode) or an LCD (liquid crystal display) is provided,and additional firmware for internal microprocessor control is providedto manage storage of audio files, such as MP3 files, for songs, and todisplay and render the songs at a user's command.

Appropriate controls, such as buttons 503 for scrolling through aplaylist, are provided, and audio rendition is through line 504 to a setof ear-buds 505. Earphones may be used as well, or any set ofbattery-powered or conversion unit powered speakers, such as those sortsof speakers used with PCs from a soundcard. In some embodiments amicrophone 506 is also provided, and controls are provided for a user torecord such as memorandums and notes, using the thumb drive as apersonal digital recorder. A small, built-in speaker 507 may also beimplemented in some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a thumb drive 601 associated with aBluetooth™ headset in still another embodiment of the invention.Bluetooth™ is a well-known system and protocol for wireless transmissionof audio and other date over relatively short distances, and informationrelative to same is easily accessible to the skilled artisan. In thisembodiment thumb drive 601 comprises a Bluetooth™ transmitter, whichtransmits to left and right earpieces 603 adapted to a pair of glasses602, such as sunglasses. The controls for thumb drive 601 areessentially the same as described above for drive 501. In alternativeembodiments the Bluetooth™ earpieces may be worn separately from theglasses, or may be associated with a hat or a cap for example.

In another aspect of the invention a system of headsets and speakerelements is provided with enhanced utility and functionality over whatis available in the art at the time of filing.

FIG. 7 a is a side elevation view of a single speaker/microphone device701 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 b is a sideelevation view of the same device, and FIG. 7 c is a back elevation viewof the same device. Device 701 is provided to be combined in a varietyof ways with carriers of various sorts that a user might employ, andalso to provide a range of useful functions not presently available.

Device 701 comprises in this embodiment a base element 702 having anattachment interface 706 for connecting to a carrier device, such as aheadset frame or earpieces of a pair of glasses. A rotatably adjustableelement 703 is pivotable about base element 702 at a pivot point 705,and comprises an earbud 704 at the free end, as well as a microphone 707on a side of the earbud. In addition in this embodiment there is acharging interface 708 for a male connector on one side of the baseelement 702, and in some embodiments another charging interface 709comprising two conductive strips on a backside of base element 702.

Device 701 comprises a transceiver 710 compatible with Bluetooth™Protocol for receiving audio signals from remote devices, such ascellular telephones, MP3 players and a variety of other handhelddevices, and for transmitting signals from input by a user viamicrophone 707 to remote devices. Device 701 also comprises arechargeable power supply connected to one or both of interfaces 708 and709, and suitable circuitry connecting electrical and electronicelements, which will be clear to the skilled artisan given thedisclosure herein.

FIG. 8 a is a side elevation view of two devices 701 attached to aheadset frame 801 in an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 b is a topplan view of the same assembly as FIG. 8 a. In this particular examplethe devices 701 are attached to simple plastic headband 801, which auser places around the back of the head and over and behind the ears.Devices 701 are attached in this example to the band each by a simplerubber ring 706. Interface 706 in different embodiments may take any oneof several forms, including a rubber ring, a snap over plastic fastener,a metal hook device, and other devices. In some embodiment body 702 mayrotate around a pivot that is a part of the attachment interface, whichwill allow body 702 to be adjusted to be more vertical than shown inFIG. 8 a, or to be angled in the opposite direction. Similarly element703 may be rotated, as described above, around the point of attachmentto body 702, so the ear bud at the end of element 703 may be comfortablyplaced in the user's ear on each side. A rough approximation of a user'sear is shown as element 711 in FIG. 8 a.

It will be apparent that the two devices 701 in FIG. 8 b are not thesame, but images of one another. However, in a preferred embodiment onedesign may be adapted to both sides by adjusting body 702 and element703 rotationally.

In preferred embodiments devices 701 also have alternate functionalitydepending on positioning of element 703 relative to body 702. FIG. 9illustrates an instance wherein a user has pivoted element 703 to extendaway from the ear toward the front of the user's face, that is, towardthe mouth. This would be a user's response in the case of an incomingtelephone call, which in one embodiment will initiate a ring tone in oneor both earbuds. Contacts within the juncture of body 702 and element703 in this situation as the user rotates element 703 will turn off thespeaker in the device thus manipulated, and will enable instead themicrophone 707, as well as sending a signal to answer the call incoupled telephone. This will work regardless of which side the userelects to rotate, and the other ear bud will continue to work for thetelephone incoming audio.

In another embodiment a pushbutton 712 is functional for placing oranswering a telephone call through a coupled telephone. In thissituation, pushing button 712 accesses voice dialing when placing acall. In the event of telephone use, audio from an MP3 device issilenced until button 712 is again pressed, or element 703 is rotatedback to the user's ear.

In some embodiments the outside surface of body 702 or a light-emittingdevice implemented on that surface is functional to change color inresponse to charge level of the on-board power supply. For example, thecolor may change from green to red at some predetermined threshold ofbattery discharge. Recharging may be done by connecting a charging cordhaving two outputs, one for each device, to female connector 108. Thesource may be a USB connector at the other end of the charging cord, ora power supply transformer plugged into a wall socket.

In another embodiment a charging docking bay 1001 as shown in FIG. 10may be employed to recharge devices 701. Bay 1001 has two receptacles1002 shaped to accept devices 701, and the indention of the receptaclesis fashioned so that the devices may snap in place and be held untilintentionally removed. There are in ach receptacle two contact strips(not shown) located to contact strips 709 on device 701 (see FIG. 7 c).The docking bay connects either to a transformer plugged into a wallsocket or a USB cable to a computer (not shown) for primary power.

In yet another embodiment a headset frame 1101 as shown in FIG. 11 isprovided with internal wiring such that devices like devices 701 may becharged while attached to the headset frame. In this embodiment theheadset frame has interface areas 1106 each having a set of contacts1102 facing inward, such that devices 701 may be attached with contactbetween contacts 1102 and contacts 709 (see FIG. 7 c). Primary power isprovided by a cable 1103 connecting to a socket under the frame andengaged either with a USB port or a transformer plugged into a walloutlet. Optionally there is also a pivot adjustment 1104 allowing a userto adjust the frame for different head sizes.

FIG. 12 a illustrates a device 701 according to an embodiment of theinvention adapted to an ear hangar 1201 to be used without a headsetframe. Device 1201 is adapted to attach to the device 701 at the sameinterface used for attachments 706 (see FIG. 7 a, b, c). FIG. 12 b showsthe same device engaged behind a user's ear. In this embodiment the usermay rotate element 703 forward, just as described before, to enable themicrophone, and the devices are still adapted to receive stereo channelsbroadcast from an MP3 player, and to answer and place telephone calls asdescribed above.

It will be apparent to the skilled artisan that there are a broadvariety of changes that may be made in the embodiments of the inventiondescribed above without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. For example, there are a broad variety of materials that maybe used for various elements of the thumb drive in embodiments of theinvention. The controls in those embodiments that provide audio playbackcan be done in several ways. There are various ways the extendable maleconnector may be implemented, and the like. There are a wide variety aswell of ways the control functions may be implemented. Therefore theinvention should only be limited by the claims which follow.

1. A wireless headphone device comprising: a first elongate portionhaving first and second opposite ends with an attachment interface atthe first end, the first portion comprising an on-board power supply anda transceiver with functional circuitry; and a second elongate portioncoupled pivotally to the first portion at the second end, and having anear bud and a microphone at an end away from the pivotal coupling;wherein the functional circuitry enables receiving and playing of audiofrom an MP3 player through the ear bud, and use as speaker andmicrophone for a wirelessly coupled telephone.
 2. The device of claim 1wherein the attachment interface comprises a flexible rubber, syntheticrubber or plastic loop for engaging an arm of a headset frame.
 3. Thedevice of claim 1 wherein the attachment interface comprises a strap forfolding over an arm of a headset frame, and fastening back to the firstelongate portion.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the attachmentinterface comprises a hinged mechanism with a fold-over element forengaging an arm of a headset frame.
 5. The device of claim 1configurable as either a left-side or a right-side device, wherein for aleft side device the speaker is enabled and the microphone muted withthe second elongate portion positioned rotationally to one side of thefirst elongate portion, and for a right-side device the speaker isenabled and the microphone muted with the second elongate portionpositioned rotationally to the opposite side of the first elongateportion.
 6. The device of claim 5 wherein rotating the second elongateportion to a position to extend away from a user's ear causes thecircuitry in the first elongate portion to send a signal to answer anincoming telephone call on a telephone device coupled by aBluetooth™-compatible wireless protocol.
 7. The device of claim 1further comprising a pushbutton on a surface of the first elongateportion enabled for sending a signal when pressed to answer an incomingtelephone call on a telephone device coupled by a Bluetooth™-compatiblewireless protocol.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein the first elongateportion comprises on one surface an interface for charging the on-boardpower supply.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein the interface forcharging is a female connector for engaging a male connector of acharging cable from either a USB port or from a transformer engaged in awall outlet.
 10. The device of claim 8 wherein the interface forcharging is a pair of electrodes implemented on a surface of the firstelongate portion for engaging similar electrodes connector for engaginga male connector of a charging cable from either a USB port or from atransformer engaged in a wall outlet.
 11. The device of claim 1 whereinthe attachment interface comprises an ear hangar loop for engaging overa user's ear to position the device to place the ear bud in the user'sear.
 12. The device of claim 1 further comprising a light-emittingdevice implemented on a surface of the device configured to change coloraccording to charge level of the on-board power supply.